Philadelphia’s restaurant
renaissance began in the
late ’70s and is still going
strong. Terrific new restaurants
are opening every week, and it’s
usually worth making a reservation.
A recent trend is BYOBs,
where you can enjoy some of the
city’s best food, while saving
money on drinks. It does require
navigating Pennsylvania’s archaic
liquor laws, though. Wine and hard
liquor can be purchased at state
stores, some of which are listed at
the end of this article. Beer can be
purchased at delis and some bars.

Price Guide
Average prices for dinner, one
drink, and tip. Lunches average
25% less.

Closest to the Convention Center

Reading Terminal Market $ 12th and Arch Streets, 215-922-2317.
Every Philadelphian has their favorite
purveyor at this former train
terminal. Enjoy walking the aisles
and take it all in before you choose.
There is one sit-down restaurant,
the Down Home Diner, that serves
all day.

Center City West

Tequilas $$
1602 Locust St., 215-546-0181. Founder David Suro provides authentic
dishes from all regions of
Mexico. These folks know their tequila
(Suro comes from Mexico’s Tequila
region) and they make their
own under the label Siembra Azul,
recently named among the 10 best
tequilas by the New York Times. Tequilas
offers unique combinations and
presentations, but there are no reservations,
so come early.

Striped Bass $$$$
1500 Walnut St., 215-732-4444. Stephen Starr revived Striped
Bass when it nearly closed three
years ago and it is consistently rated
one of Philadelphia’s best restaurants.
Occupying an old brokerage
house, it retains the original marble
columns and five-foot-diameter
crystal chandeliers. Striped Bass
specializes in seafood but has other
offerings as well. Reservations
strongly suggested.

Susanna Foo $$$
1512 Walnut St., 215-545-8800.
Former librarian Susanna Foo
serves up reliably excellent Chinese
French fusion with imaginative presentation.
Many dishes combine
Asian sauces with traditionally
French entrées such as pheasant.
Foo won an award in 1997 as the
Mid-Atlantic region’s best chef.
Lunch and dinner are served daily.
Reservations are advised.

Alma de Cuba $$$
1623 Walnut St., 215-988-1799. This was the place to spot Ben Affleck
and Jennifer Lopez when they
were in Philly filming Gigli. Alma de
Cuba serves delicious food infused
with the sensuous flavors of Cuba in
a vibrant atmosphere reminiscent of
old Havana.

Genji $$
1720 Sansom St., 215-564-1720.
Locals swear this Rittenhouse sushi
shop is the best in the city. The
philosophy here is to serve Japanese
food with Japanese culture, and indeed,
the owners of Genji artistically
present their cuisine in the great
Japanese tradition. Specialties include
sashimi, tempura, and of
course, sushi. Go early and shop at a
wonderful independent bookstore
next door, Joseph Fox Books.

Melograno $$
2201 Spruce St., 215-875-8116.
A long wait here will be rewarded
with simple and delicious Italian
food in a simple but pretty interior.
One of the city’s best BYOBs.

Matyson $$
37 S. 19th St., 215-564-2925. A terrific BYOB serving contemporary
American food, Matyson is part of
the movement to serve locally produced
foods. Look for the amazing
specials: They select a food, like nuts
or spinach, and run it through all of
the items on the special menu.

Continental Midtown $
1801 Chestnut St., 215-567-1800. This return to the ’70s blends
shag carpet and rattan swings with
inventive food such as lobster mac
and cheese and cotton candy.

La Viola $$
253 S. 16th St., 215-735-8630.
This BYOB can be loud and
crowded, but it has great Italian
food for a moderate price.

El Vez $$
121 S. 13th St., 215-928-9800. Pronounced “Elvis”—the name
comes from a Mexican Elvis impersonator—
this restaurant features a
bejeweled motorcycle rotating above
the center circular bar, and illuminated
murals and velvet-upholstered
booths surround. And check
out the bathrooms: Although separate,
the men and ladies come together
at the sinks. Portions are
small, but the chips are homemade.

Tria $
1137 Spruce St., 215-629-9200. This spot focuses on the “fermentation
trio”—wine, cheese, and
beer—with delectable selections of
all three. It also serves salads and
sandwiches.

Mercato $$
1216 Spruce St., 215-985-2962. Close quarters and noisy ambience
add to the irresistible atmosphere
at this Italian/new American
BYOB. Cash only.

Olde City

Buddakan $$$
325 Chestnut St., 215-574-9440. Where else does a ten-foot Buddha
watch over your table? This
Stephen Starr restaurant was a hit
from Day One. The setting is stunningly
contemporary with sheets
of water at the restaurant entrance.
If you can pace yourself, try the
dessert sampler, which includes
mini versions of everything on
the menu. Reservations strongly
recommended.

Fork $$
306 Market St., 215-625-9425. A foodie favorite, Fork serves new
American cuisine
with emphasis on
seasonal foods and
special attention
paid to side dishes.

Chinatown

Lakeside Chinese Deli $
207 N. 9th St.,
215-925-3288.
This is a great
Chinese restaurant,
serving dim sum
made fresh to order
all day. Don’t miss
the stuffed eggplant,
steamed pork buns, and baby bok
choy with garlic, but get there early; it
closes at 8 p.m. on weeknights.

Logan Circle (near Central Library)

Sabrina’s Café and Spencer’s Too $
1802 Callowhill St., 215-636-9061.
An offshoot of the South Philly
institution Sabrina’s, this diner retains
the original’s charm, only
funkier. Comfort food, a great
brunch, and large portions can result
in long, but quick-moving
lines. BYOB.

Rose Tattoo Café $$
1847 Callowhill St., 215-569-8939. Taking its name from the Tennessee
Williams play, this quaint spot
serves new American cuisine with
spectacular fresh-flower arrangements
and greenery throughout.

West Philly

White Dog Café $$
3420 Sansom St., 215-386-9224. Serving consistently good nouvelle
American food, owner Judy Wicks
has built quite a following for her
cuisine and her philanthropic commitments.
The café often hosts
speakers and debates, and the two
attached rowhouses are decorated in
a delightfully eclectic Victorian style;
next door is the Black Cat gift shop.

Pod $$
3636 Sansom St., 215-387-1803. Modern enough for a mention in
Wired, Pod serves very cool pan-Asian
food. Trendy lighting, and if you have
a larger group and you’re lucky, you
can score your own pod and eat in a
private space with lights that change
colors on command as you dine.

Marigold Kitchen $$
501 S. 45th St., 215-222-3699. This intimate dining experience
feels like someone’s house because
it sort of is—upstairs is a six-room
boardinghouse. Great food. BYOB.

South Street

Beau Monde $
624 S. 6th St., 215-592-0656. A cozy fireplace and yummy
crepes make this a great spot for a
cold night or a weekend brunch.

Coquette Bistro $$
700 S. 5th St., 215-238-9000. A noisy French bistro with all the
standards—steak frites, cassoulet,
etc.—plus a raw bar. The interior
makes you feel like you’re in Paris.

Supper $$
926 South St., 215-592-8180. The owners have transformed
a former Vespa salesroom into
“an appealingly great American
space,” as the Philadelphia Enquirer
called it. Supper serves smallish
plates and has an interesting wine
list.

South Philly

Victor Café $$
1303 Dickinson St., 215-468-3040.
Victor Café has been a South Philly
staple since 1918 with wonderful
meals and waiters who burst into opera.
The Victor Salad is a must.

Dmitri’s $$
795 S. 3rd St., 215-625-0556.
Outstanding fresh Greek-influenced
seafood, grilled in the open
kitchen. No reservations, but leave
your name and walk across the
street to the New Wave Café for a
drink while you wait. BYOB.

Villa de Roma $
936 S. 9th St., 215-592-1295.
The real thing, smack in the heart
of the Italian Market, serving manicotti,
veal prepared seven different
ways, and cannoli from the bakery
around the corner. Red wine comes
chilled and white often isn’t. No
reservations; cash only.

Little Gems

Gelato Artisans $
119 S. 13th St., 215-351-0900. A small-batch gelato place that
makes new flavors every day. They use
fresh fruits, veggies, liquors, and spices
in their mixes. The flavors are not
subtle, so you will definitely taste the
bourbon in the Bourbon
Butterscotch, or the ouzo in
the Star Anise with Ouzo. A
must-have experience.

Franklin Fountain $
116 Market St., 215-627-1899.
You’ll feel like you stepped back in
time at this Victorian soda fountain,
complete with creams and fizzes made
with the highest quality ingredients.
And no trip to Philadelphia is
complete without one of our worldrenowned
cheesesteaks. Locals can’t
agree on who’s the best, so you’ll
have to decide for yourself.

Pat’s King of Steaks $
1237 E. Passyunk, 215-468-1546.

Geno’s Steaks $
1219 S. 9th St., 215-389-0659. Long-time competitors, Pat’s and
Geno’s are both open 24/7. Regardless
of the weather, patrons stand outside
at counters or sit at picnic tables to
enjoy their steaks. (Geno’s earned notoriety
in 2006 for a sign directing
customers to order in English.)

Jim’s Steaks $
400 South St., 215-928-1911. The line to get in snakes around
the corner, but South Street has
some of the best people-watching in
the city. z